Faustino Malaguti

Faustino Giovita Mariano Malaguti (15 February 1802 – 26 April 1878) was a chemist. Born in pre-unification Italy, he was exiled and took French citizenship in 1840.

Biography

Malaguti was born in Pragatto near Bologna, where his father Giuseppe Valerio was a pharmacist. After being schooled by Barnabites, he attended the University of Bologna, where he qualified as a pharmacist. He practiced his profession and was also hired by customs to investigate imported medicines.

Malaguti took part in the 1831 uprising against the authority of the Papal States, being named secretary in the provisional government. After the revolution was crushed by Austria, he was imprisoned in Venice and then exiled, settling in Paris.

Malaguti's lectures on agricultural chemistry were so highly regarded that they were subsidised by France's Ministry of Agriculture. He was an expert in the trial of the local serial killer by poison, Hélène Jégado.